L.A. LGBT Center to Hold ‘Models of Pride’ Youth Conference Oct. 11

The Los Angeles LGBT Center will hold its free annual Models of Pride LGBT youth conference on the University of Southern California (USC) campus on Saturday, October 11.

More than 1,200 young people (up to age 24) are expected to attend, according to a Center press release.

Alex Newell (Glee) Natalia Loya (La Voz Kids) and Michael Willett (Faking It) will perform at the day-long conference, which will also include workshops/presentations, lunch and dinner, and a dance. In addition to the youth programming, the conference includes workshops for parents, educators and social service providers.

“What’s Next?” is this year’s theme, and participants will talk about “what the next crucial issues are to be addressed within the LGBT community and among themselves.”

“From the passage of marriage equality laws to the creation of LGBT characters in media, this generation of youth has witnessed major victories for the LGBT community,” Michael Ferrera, director of the Center’s youth program LifeWorks, said in the press release. “To continue this momentum, we must support these youth to feel empowered to decide what’s next in the fight for inclusivity and diversity. They are the next generation of LGBT leaders.”